NSW Public Schools are in 2024 celebrating the largest enrolment of Aboriginal Year 12 students - and Dubbo College Senior Campus has broken its own record, with 75 students.

A record 2,265 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students were enrolled in Year 12 this year, a steady rise from 2,085 in 2021.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said it was encouraging to see the continued rise in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students completing Year 12 but acknowledged there was more to do.

“I want to congratulate all our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and the families and our staff who have supported them in completing their HSC.

“For many of these students there is significant pride in being the first in their family to secure this qualification.

“Our Plan for NSW Public Education launched last year is focused on creating an even playing field for all students.

“The plan commits us to do everything in our power to close existing gaps to disadvantage and we will continue to back initiatives that support our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students to thrive and deepen their cultural connections.

“As a record-breaking cohort, I want to commend Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in the Class of 2024 not only for their resilience, but for the inspiration they provide to other students.”

At Dubbo Senior Campus, Year 12 supervisor and deputy principal Jenadel Lane was also a nervous mum, as she awaited results for her Dubbo flock, including daughter Retori.

Mrs Lane and principal Glen Braithwaite credit the school’s steady increase in HSC achievement to its personal focus on student learning.

“We work closely with our junior schools and meet each student and their family to plan their pathway in senior school,” Mr Braithwaite said.

Mrs Lane said every student had wrap-around support through the Maranirra Learning and Engagement Centre, including NASCA, Clontarf, AEOs, and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff.

“It is so important to share cultural knowledge and history,” she said.

Each student’s success truly matters to Mrs Lane, who has been teaching for 19 years, including 10 at Walgett, her home Country.

“I was the first in my family to go to university and now my daughter wants to follow in my footsteps,” she said.

Retori has received early entry to Critical Indigenous Studies at Macquarie University and aspires to become a teacher.

“Some of our students will be the first in their families to complete Year 12 and attain the Higher School Certificate,” Mrs Lane said.

“They feel so proud.”

Some of the 2024 cohort are seeking an ATAR, but others have focused on vocational pathways.

“We work closely with our students to facilitate the career path that will work best for them,” Mr Braithwaite said.

The school was also today celebrating another record: the highest-ever number of students attaining Band 6 in the HSC – 48 this year, surpassing the previous high of 33, including three Aboriginal students: Molly Wilson, Lily Foran and Bailee-Jade Hutchins.

Among those 48 high achievers was Mason Olney, who secured an equal first in NSW for Construction.

Lily Foran was third in the state for Human Services.